I’m Done with Social Media: The Vaughn Grissom Debate

Ever since Vaughn Grissom was drafted, he was often touted as Atlanta’s shortstop of the future. The 21-year-old was pressed into service with a combination of Dansby Swanson signing with the Cubs and the injury to Orlando Arcia. I’d be lying if there weren’t some growing pains, some plays that even someone that supports Vaughn as I felt he should have made. Despite his struggles, I am not as likely to support a change in playing position or a demotion for him. I believe given time, he can be the shortstop everyone expected him to be. Unfortunately, I’m painfully reminded constantly that I stand in the minority with that opinion.

First, let’s address this moving Grissom to left field narrative, which started circulating during the off-season when there were still hopes of bringing Dansby home. That this possibility is still circulating is baffling to me. Maybe I’m missing something, but Atlanta has five capable outfielders currently, two of which have cemented their positions in Ronald Acuna Jr & Michael Harris II. Sam Hilliard has been a pleasant surprise so far this season, and Kevin Pillar provides a nice right-handed compliment who can play all three outfield positions if you need him to. Let’s not forget Eddie Rosario’s bat is coming around and he isn’t exactly terrible defensively, and Eli White is also waiting in the wings at Gwinnett. Forgive me, but with all that being said, I see no reason to not allow Vaughn Grissom more time at the shortstop position, be it in Atlanta or in the minor leagues. At the time this is being written, Orlando Arica has returned at shortstop and Grissom has been optioned to Triple A. That may be the best thing for him right now, as I agree with the people who say he isn’t ready right now. A position change, however, is not the answer for Vaughn, and I stand by that.

There are many that say Grissom does not possess the arm strength to be a shortstop. I must respectfully disagree. I dare say he throws better than the man he replaced (Swanson, not Arcia) and not every shortstop has a howitzer attached to their shoulder like Orlando Arcia does. It is also worth noting that Grissom is 21 years old. He deserves the time to learn and grow as an infielder. If a move to the outfield is inevitable, he will be more than ready to learn it. That’s just the kind of kid he is. I just don’t think it’s the answer right now.

I’ll say this bluntly, Grissom is unlikely to be traded. Both he and Braden Shewmake have been talked about as possible trade pieces. While I admit I am not a GM and just a fan, I see a trade involving either of them unlikely. Not impossible, but unlikely. I’ll go out on a limb and say that if they didn’t need the roster spot, they would have kept Grissom on the big club for a spot start at shortstop and spent some time at DH–his offense was never a problem. I think the move to the outfield that the Braves fan base seems so obsessed with is a knee-jerk reaction that has a lot to do with wanting rid of Marcell Ozuna (recent offensive outburst notwithstanding of course). Again, I’m not saying Grissom moving to the outfield isn’t possible. I just don’t think it’s a likely enough outcome to deserve all this social media attention. I also don’t see a trade being possible yet. If it happens, I’m fearful of a sort of reversed Christian Pache situation. Clearly Atlanta came out on the winning end of that trade, but I would rather have Grissom on my team the way he’s handling the bat right now regardless of where he plays the field. Regardless of where he plays and what his timetable is now, I firmly believe that Vaughn Grissom will be an integral part of Atlanta’s future.

Opinions will always differ in player development. There will always be debate among the fan base. At some point, we are all armchair GM’s. But as a Braves fan and a baseball fan on the whole, I’m simply enjoying the ride right now. Sure, I may express a few opinions along the way, but that’s the fun of it, isn’t it? There comes a point at which we all need to put our opinions aside, let the guys who are paid to make decisions make them, and just enjoy the game we all love. Let’s not forget too, that it’s the first week of May. It’s a long season, baseball fans. Sit back, grab yourself a cold beverage, and enjoy the ride.